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DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF CDROM AS A TEACHING TOOL FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION OF PROFESSIONALS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

KrishiKosh

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Title DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF CDROM AS A TEACHING TOOL FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION OF PROFESSIONALS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
 
Creator PRIYA SHARMA
 
Contributor USHA RANI, M
 
Subject biological phenomena, diseases, fruits, fats, beverages, manpower, animal husbandry, snack foods, meat, self help
TEACHING TOOL, NUTRITION EDUCATION, PROFESSIONALS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
 
Description The improved economic situation and the modernization of the society have led to an
increase in the consumption of calorie dense foods and an alarming increase in sedentary
lifestyle. Such changes in human behaviour and lifestyle over the last decades have resulted
in a dramatic increase in the incidence of chronic diseases worldwide. The software
profession offers an elevated standard of life, but takes tolls on the health and nutrition
aspects of the professionals and leads to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Interventions
are needed that incorporate effective behaviour-change principles for promotion of health
and nutrition and increase in the nutritional knowledge of the study subjects. Therefore, the
present nutritional study was aimed to develop and evaluate the CD-Rom as a teaching tool
for nutrition education of professionals in information technology (IT) sector.
The study was carried out during the year 2011-2012 by selecting forty IT
professionals using simple random sampling techniques from four identified information
technology companies of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The socio-economic profile, time
expenditure pattern, physical exercise pattern, dietary information and nutritional
knowledge of the subjects were collected by using structured questionnaire. Various
anthropometric parameters viz. height, weight and body mass index (BMI), were assessed
and the subjects were categorized as obese, overweight and normal as per WHO (2003)
standards. Information pertaining to the type of daily activity and routine exercises of the
subjects were recorded. The mode of transport, time spent on entertainment and office
hours were also collected as they are the variables affecting the physical activity. Dietary
information of the subjects was collected to know about their meal pattern, food habits,
food preferences and the frequency of consumption of different food groups. As the study
was planned to impart nutrition education to the IT professionals, CD-Rom was developed
based on the identified specific areas from their physical activity pattern; food preferences;
food consumption and meal pattern; knowledge levels and anthropometry of the subjects
keeping their socio-economic profile as the background.
ii
The food and nutrition areas identified for the development of CD-Rom were
introduction to food and nutrition, balanced diet and its importance, classification of foods
based on their functions, nutritional significance of nutrients, therapeutic information on
obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension; importance of physical exercises and dietary
guidelines for Indians. The professionals were then educated by distribution of the
developed CD-ROMs to them followed by interactive sessions. To assess the impact of
nutrition education intervention, the knowledge assessment questionnaire (KAQ) was
developed and administered before and after the education programme.
Results showed that out of the 40 IT professionals, 29 were males and 11 were
females. It was observed that 62.07% of the male subjects and 36.36% of the female
subjects were overweight followed by 3.45% males and 9.09% females as obese. It was
found that 70% of the subjects were non-vegetarian (79.4% males and 45% females) while
20% were ova-vegetarian (17.2% males and 27% females) and 10% were vegetarians. As
reported by the subjects, 3.4% of the males consumed alcohol occasionally and none of the
subjects preferred smoking.
The data on food habits and preferences showed high favouritism for fried food and
junk food among the male subjects. 51.7% of the males were having 7-8 office hours
followed by 48.3% working for >8 hours in office. While 81.8% females were working for
7-8 hours in office and the rest 18.2% were working for >8 hours. Data revealed that all the
subjects i.e., 100% follow the sedentary work pattern with 80% of them not involved in any
kind of physical exercise. 75% of the subjects were reported to use two wheelers, 17.5% of
them use office cab, 5% uses auto and the rest (2.5%) preferred four wheelers as their mode
of transport. As far as leisure time activity pattern was considered, all of the professionals
were engaged in sedentary activities like watching TV (35%), surfing net (22.5%), reading
(22.5%) and chatting with friends (20%).
It was observed that majority of the subjects were following a similar four meal pattern
i.e., breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. The types of meals most frequently missed were
mid-morning, evening snacks and bedtime by 42.5%, 30% and 57.5% of the subjects
respectively. The frequency of consumption of food groups such as pulses, green leafy
vegetables and fruits were found to be consumed by fewer percentages of the subjects in
their daily diet. The diet of the subjects was found to be mainly characterized by high fat,
high refined carbohydrate foods basically fried/junk food with less fruits and vegetables
intake.
A significant improvement in the mean nutritional knowledge scores was observed
among the total study subjects from 22.30 ± 4.56 to 40.55 ± 4.41 after the intervention.
Thus, the method of e-learning and development of CD-Rom is essential for teaching the
educated groups on nutrition, physical activity and overall health education to improve their
health, lifestyle and eating habits.
 
Date 2016-06-04T14:44:23Z
2016-06-04T14:44:23Z
2012
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/66786
 
Language en
 
Relation ;D9204
 
Format application/pdf
 
Publisher ACHARYA N. G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY